Joni James was born Giovanna Joan Carmella Babbo on Sept. 22, 1930 in Chica… Read Full Bio ↴Joni James was born Giovanna Joan Carmella Babbo on Sept. 22, 1930 in Chicago, IL. In her early years, she studied drama & ballet. After high school she toured Canada with a dance group. After taking a job as a chorus girl, she decided to pursue a singing career. MGM executives saw her in a TV commercial and she was signed by MGM in 1952.

She was the first American singer to record at Abbey Road Studios in England. Her fan base even included Asia and the Philippines. She had 7 top hits, including "Why Don't You Believe in Me?", "Your Cheating Heart," "Almost Always," and "Have You Heard?"

She married composer Tony Acquaviva in 1956. In 1964, she dropped out of the public eye to take care of him and did so until 1986, when Mr. Acquaviva passed away. She began to tour again in the 1990's. She was given a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

But Beautiful
Joni James Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Love is funny or it's sad,
Or it's quiet or it's mad,
It's a good thing or it's bad,
But beautiful!

Beautiful to take a chance
And if you fall, you fall,
And I'm thinking I wouldn't mind at all.

Love is tearful or it's gay.
It's a problem or it's play,
It's a heartache either way,
But beautiful!

And I'm thinking if you were mine

I'd never let you go,
And that would be but beautiful I know.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Joni James's song "But Beautiful" explore the complex and contradictory nature of love. The song suggests that love can be funny or sad, quiet or mad, good or bad, but ultimately, it remains beautiful despite its various forms and outcomes.

The first verse highlights the different emotional states that love can bring about. It acknowledges that love can be both a positive and negative experience, as it can bring joy or sorrow, and it can be a serene or intense feeling. The lyrics emphasize that even though love can have contrasting qualities, it still possesses a captivating beauty.

The second verse continues to reflect on the duality of love. It describes love as tearful or gay, a problem or a play, and acknowledges that it can bring heartache regardless of its manifestation. However, despite the potential for pain, the lyrics express a willingness to take a chance on love. The singer reveals that if they were to fall in love, they wouldn't mind the risk at all, suggesting a willingness to embrace the beauty of love despite its uncertainties.

The chorus of the song further underlines the theme of love's contradictory nature. It posits that if the person being addressed in the lyrics were to become the singer's partner, they would be held onto tightly and not let go. This demonstrates an understanding that love can be both beautiful and fragile, but the singer is willing to endure the challenges and complexities because the love they have is worth it.

Overall, "But Beautiful" portrays love as a multifaceted and intricate emotional journey, where the beauty of the experience outweighs its potential difficulties and uncertainties.

Line by Line Meaning

Love is funny or it's sad,
Love can elicit both amusement and sorrow,

Or it's quiet or it's mad,
Love can be calm and serene or intense and chaotic,

It's a good thing or it's bad,
Love can bring happiness or cause pain,

But beautiful!
Regardless of its challenges, love is remarkable!

Beautiful to take a chance
It is courageous and remarkable to embrace love,

And if you fall, you fall,
And even if you experience setbacks or failure,

And I'm thinking I wouldn't mind at all.
I would still wholeheartedly embrace it.

Love is tearful or it's gay.
Love can bring both tears and joy,

It's a problem or it's play,
It can be complex and troubling or joyful and carefree,

It's a heartache either way,
Whether in happiness or sorrow, it can cause emotional pain,

But beautiful!
Yet love is still incredibly beautiful!